The student was asked to create a school magazine cover and contents page as part of their media studies course, which would not be graded but rather serve as practice. They used Adobe Photoshop CS6 to design the magazine cover. Creating a practice magazine helped them identify their strengths and areas for improvement. Though their first project, it provided useful experience that would help them construct a more successful music magazine for their actual graded assignment.

1. At the start of our Media AS course, we as a class was asked to created a school magazine front cover and
contents page. This task was not going to be marked so this exercise is just a way in which we can develop our
skills for the all important Music magazine that we are going to create. In this task we had to use Adobe
Photoshop CS6. By having a practice magazine, it helps to highlight key areas in which we are good and certainly
where we need improving. The techniques I have used in this school magazine is useful because it gives me a
clearer view of how to construct a successful music magazine. This was my first project so this project is going to
be less successful than my actual music magazine.

2. The magazine has
the school for the
background image,
this is relevant
because it is a school
magazine.
Secondary stories
are shown to give
the audience a
filler of what is
actually in the
magazine
The name of the school is
made clear for the
audience, to automatically
establish the master head.
The sub-heading says
‘Outstanding’ this
probably is an Ofsted
report, so this informs the
viewers of this magazine
about the standard of the
school, Furthermore it
also influences Parents to
send their child/children
to an ‘Outstanding’
school.
The price is given to us, so from this we can
infer that this school is predominantly
middle/upper class, because the majority of
working class students wouldn’t pay for a
school magazine.

3. Furthermore, the
magazine has a
promotion / incentive,
this makes the audience
feel as if they would be
rewarded for taking the
magazine, this is a great
line of appeal.
This magazine
also gives the
audience a
rough Idea of
what exactly is
going on in the
school with
upcoming
events.
The persuasive method
here is that the
magazine is for free, this
makes the target
audience want to get it,
simply because the
target audience wont be
charged to get this
magazine.
This magazine also
provides the target
audience with an
insight into sixth
form because sixth
formers are giving
and account of their
experiences.

7. From this task I have learnt how to apply my Photoshop skills in order to construct a
School magazine. I have put into practise my Photoshop skills on this magazine in order
to develop a better understanding of how to put a magazine together. This task was
useful because it gives me a open minded approach to the music magazine I am going to
start soon.